Overcoming Challenges and Learning to Walk Again
Twelve weeks post-op, and I’m officially off crutches, taking my first steps back to walking. It’s incredible how our brains play a vital role in our ability to heal. While designed to protect us from harm, the brain can also be stubborn. Sometimes, you have to convince it that you’re okay, pushing yourself forward to reclaim who you are.
Take my hesitation to step forward, for example. It’s just my brain sensing potential pain, a natural safeguard. But with muscles that atrophied from weeks of non-weight-bearing restrictions, even basic movements feel daunting. Walking—something that once came effortlessly—now requires deliberate effort. Normally, our brains take care of the mechanics for us. We step without thinking; it’s automatic. But when muscles weaken, every step demands conscious thought. You must actively engage the muscles, contract them, and perfectly time those contractions to move forward.
Learning to walk as an adult after an injury is vastly different from learning to walk as a child. It’s complex, frustrating, and humbling. I’m incredibly grateful for my physical therapists, whose guidance ensures I engage the correct muscles and avoid improper movements. Without them, I’d risk misalignments or long-term damage, like a permanent limp or even another surgery.
Recovery, much like forming a habit, takes time, deliberate effort, and consistent action. Just as it takes 30 days to form a new habit, rebuilding muscle strength and regaining full range of motion requires patience and persistence. Each small milestone in my progress keeps me motivated. Every morning, as I place my foot on the floor, my brain instinctively anticipates weakness. I have to pause, steady myself, and remind my brain: You’re okay. This doesn’t hurt—it just feels different.
Recently, I set a goal: to walk a mile. This goal gave me a clear focus and renewed purpose. Rebuilding the strength in both legs is crucial, not just for walking but for getting back to the active lifestyle I love. One mile will soon turn into two, then three, and before long, I’ll be back to my daily five-mile hikes.
I’m deeply grateful for the good health and fitness I had before my injury—it’s a foundation that has significantly improved my post-surgery recovery. My doctors have cleared me to walk as much as I feel capable, with the only restrictions being no running or high-impact sports for the next three months. Still, the thought of running trails again with Echo next spring fills me with hope and determination.
The lessons I’m learning through this recovery journey extend beyond physical healing. They apply to any challenge we face in life. Fear often holds us back, but we can overcome it by reminding ourselves—and our brains—that we’re okay. The thoughts we nurture each day can either anchor us in place or propel us forward toward transformation.
So, whatever you’re facing, remember: set a goal, take deliberate steps, and celebrate each milestone along the way. Progress may feel slow, but it’s happening. Trust your strength, challenge your brain’s instincts, and move forward—one step at a time.
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